Liberalsim

Liberalsim

The theory of Liberalism believes in the limited state where individuals are free from controlling state power. This theory develops the belief that a democratic liberal state is the only way to guarantee and preserve individual liberty as the powers of the state are subservient to the will of the people. Liberalism is also concerned with peace. The theory of liberalism believes that its principles are the only way of delivering peace to the international community. These principles reference the establishment of an elected democratic state which is informed by the principle of equality and enacted through the rule of law. Kant and Bentham believed that only liberalism, through persuasive reason, can deliver a permanent peace. They believed that a federation of all states (and not a super state or world government  as Hugo Grotius believed) would guarantee peace indefinitely. Bentham in particular believed in establishing a common tribunal as a means to prevent military action taking place within and between states. These philosophers assumed that peace was the natural state for humanity, however, the First World War changed this thinking. It is now believed that peace is something that has to be constructed.

There are two main stands in Liberal thinking, Market View which sees individuals as consumers maximising their utilities and the Ethical View which believes that liberalism which shows humanity striving to reach their highest potential. (Scott Burchill, Theories of International Relations, chapter 2, p29). These at times are contradictory and show the underlying tensions within Liberalism. Fukuyama theorised that the measurement of human history can be made by measuring the elimination of global conflict and the adoption of legitimate principles. If all states were liberal democracies there could be no war as each States legitimacy would be recognised by another. Neo-Realists reject this theory by claiming that each states moral hopes are dashed by...